The Ring Master review

There is something about nostalgia at times which is like honey on the tongue or in the case of music, manna for the senses. In regard to the latter, Digital Age, the new single from UK duo Vix 20 is a lively example. Offering two tenacious tracks seeded in seventies power pop aligned to progressive rock enterprise, the debut encounter with CJ and Mills is a rousing invitation getting body and spirit bouncing.

Though we use the word nostalgia, there is plenty about Digital Age and its companion, Angel on My Jet Ski, which is borne of the now. In character though, the single romps along like a fusion of The Rubinoos and The Records with the imaginative touch of Cheap Trick and the instinctive catchiness of a Tonight or The Knack involved.

Digital Age leaps from a digital connection with boisterous riffs and tenacious rhythms, vocals soon adding their equally spirited energy and swing. Lyrically sparking thoughts of times past in the face of modern technology and the mind-sets it breeds, the song also reveals an underlining punch to the kinetic sounds strolling around vocals. Familiarity to the genres previously mentioned makes the song almost like an old friend but its modern day spikiness, if held on reins, allows it to easily sit in the now.

Alongside, Angel on My Jet Ski reveals a heavier rock tone and touch without losing its natural animated pop prowess. There is a tinge of Golden Earring to the song at times aligned to those artists mentioned earlier whilst its progressive rock tendencies simply adds another vibrant hue to its inescapably infectious presence.

Together, both songs reveal a broad palette to the Vix 20 sound holding hues to contagious times past amidst new adventure; they also just make one want to dance which is never something to ignore.

Digital Age is out now on iTunes, Spotify, and physical (remember CDs?) from Hotwerk Records

The Ring Master review

At a time when childhood nostalgia is all too often employed as nothing more than a way for companies to make more money – think movie reboots and video game remasters – it’s refreshing to see Vix20’s comeback single The Digital Age relishing in a genuine, less cynical nostalgia that celebrates the halcyon days of pre-internet in a frothy combination of power-pop and tongue in cheek visuals that hark back to the ’70s and ’80s.

Upbeat and delivered without a trace of the dollar signs and cynicism with which companies employ nostalgia today, The Digital Age is three minutes of effervescent pop-punk that doesn’t take itself too seriously and is all the better for it. An excellent return.

The Punk Site review

25 years after their first school band, and after a period of time spent apart sheltering from industry BS, label politics and amoral men in suits, CJ and Mills quite accidentally started making music again… strictly for fun, right? Vix 20 are now set to release their debut single, The Digital Age, on the 24th August, the single will also appear on the band’s forthcoming debut album.